Private Censored Library: In A Locker

A student at a strict private school has solved the problem of books being banned from the school library: operate an illicit lending library from your locker. I doubt the private library is unknown to officials, because the more students know of its availability, the more likely faculty will know, so my guess is it is being tolerated provided no fallout occurs. If the secret is well-kept, hopefully this altruistic student will go on to a career in library curatorship, and help make sure that libraries remain sources of information, not knowledge control. Despite the positive spin in the question, some people, however, aren't so sure the story is real. Via, via.

Burning Books in India

Turns out, it's a sadder story than it sounds: the books were not burned in protest, nor for their content. Teachers in India found the outside temperatures falling to freezing levels, and decided they needed to do something...so they made a book bonfire to keep their students warm. 500 books indended for impoverished schools were tied into gunny sacks and set alight. Unfortunately, destroying those books wasn't a decision they were allowed to make: the police have issued citations to the instructors who approved the fire. While much of India is moving to the modern world, there is still much poverty — when your big decision is whether a book is more useful for education or avoiding exposure to the elements, you must live in an area that barely scratches at the edges of 21st century standards of living.

Library Book Returns Home

It takes some dedication to admit you were in the wrong, no matter how long it's been. Sixty-one years ago, an intrepid sophomore at Holland Hall School for Girls checked out New Word Analysis by William Swinton…but never returned it. Last week, however, the overdue situation was resolved. The book mysteriously returned to Holland Hall's library, with a $250 check to cover any overdue fees. The former student included a note, saying she doesn't know how it ended up never being returned — but isn't that what they all say? The library, however, has no means for handling overdue fines from so long ago: their best bet is to contribute it to the school's scholarship fund.

Bunny Suicides: Stolen, to be Burned

Her son checked out The Book of Bunny Suicides from his school's library, but the mom was not amused. In fact, she's so unamused that she won't return the book to the school under any circumstances, and plans on burning the book. The school has offered her the opportunity to go through the normal book-challenge process, but she'd have to bring the book back (the book would be out of circulation until the decision comes). She's so concerned about the book falling into the hands of another child, she will not return it, and if the school buys another copy, she'll get that one too and destroy it as well. It's sure a good thing that you can't find that stuff on the internet, but don't tell her that: her head might explode. The saddest thing is that, until the book is returned or replaced, the woman's son will not be able to check anything else out of the library. She seems be killing two birds with one stone: what else might her son be able to check out? Knowledge of that sort if awfully scary.

Update: the woman has recanted her threat of book destruction, and claims she said it out of anger. The school, on the other hand, has been inundated with support from people interested in freedom of speech and press, and even one altruistic soul has already bought and delivered a new copy of the book for the school. The school will continue with their challenge-review process, and decide if the un-returned book (and any free ones they get from well-wishers) will remain on the library's shelves. “To accept a book that is in review to be banned, that is talking about suicide?” she said. “A book that’s not good for kids, let’s start giving the school hundreds of them?” She still seems to be missing the core of her problem: the eye of the beholder isn't the weightiest variable.